IT was a tough day of football for the three competing leagues at the Limestone Coast Regional Carnival on Saturday at Naracoorte.
Western Border claimed the honours, with an inspiring day of football across three games.
Well coached by Millicent’s Steve Duldig, the side defeated the Mid South East league in the grand final, after reigning champion, Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara, failed to win a game.
All round games were tight, with just a few points separating the three sides.
To open proceedings the WBFL defeated the KNTFL by just two points.
The game showcased plenty of class and desperation from both sides to suggest a quality day ahead.
The Knights had built a nine-point margin at one stage, but the WBFL was able to work back into the contest and with 18 minutes gone there was just two points in the game.
In the end it was enough for the WBFL to claim the win.
It set the scene for the day, with the Knights then facing a strong MSE lineup in the second senior game.
Once again the contest was tight, with the MSE showing plenty of pace around the ground to claim the first goal of the game.
The Knights responded and the contest was on in earnest.
The MSE had built a handy lead by the break and the Knights looked out of the game.
However, they came back with a flurry later in the contest, but it was not enough and again they went down by two points.
That left the defending champions out of the grand final, with just one minor round to play.
Many suggested the WBFL v MSE round game should be changed to the grand final, considering the two sides would play off in the decider, but the game went on as planned.
It provided a precursor for the grand final and once again there was nothing in the contest.
It was played anything but like a dead rubber, with both sides quite willing in the tight contests.
By the break the scores were even, which set up an enticing second half.
The WBFL soon took control and threatened to run away with the contest, but the MSE answered with a couple of late goals and in the end just three points separated the two sides, with the WBFL claiming its second win of the day.
The grand final was expected to be another tight contest, judging by the results throughout the day.
At the half-time break there was just five points in the game, with the MSE up.
It took four minutes into the second half before the scores were level and from there the WBFL seemed to find a second wind.
Once the margin reached 12 points the MSE seemed to have no answer.
With 15 minutes gone the final scores had been reached, with some intense defensive efforts to follow.
It would be enough for the WBFL to claim the win and atone for last year’s result, which saw it win-less.
It would also deny the MSE its first interleague victory since the three leagues have faced off, beginning in 2014.
Still no team has been able to record back-to-back titles, with the WBFL and KNTFL now with three wins each.
Senior awards
Senior Player of the Carnival – Brad Mitchell, KNTFL.
WBFL: Best and fairest – Dylan Bromley; Best Under 21 – Jonah Grimes.
MSEFL: Best and fairest – Jake Wehl; Best Under 21 – Ned Wilke.
KNTFL: Best and fairest – Brad Mitchell; Best Under 21 – Reagan Tink.
RESULTS
SENIORS
WBFL 5.3 (33)
KNTFL 5.1 (31)
Goals – Western Border: B. Kain 2, J. Dawe, G. Cooper 1, M. Telford; Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara: F. Adams, J. Vandermeer, S. Merrett, B. Mitchell, T. Baker.
Best – Western Border: J. Grimes, T. Sullivan, D. Bromley, N. McInerney, J. Schutz; Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara: B. Mitchell, S. Merrett, B. Bryant, N. Mosey, R. Jaensch, R. Tink.
MSEFL 5.7 (37)
KNTFL 5.5 (35)
Goals – Mid South East: B. Foster 3, T. Lockwood, T. Renzi; Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara: B. Mitchell 2, G. Johnson, J. Vandermeer, B. Bryant.
Best: Mid South East: J. Wallis, M. Kasparian, J. Wehl, B. Foster, J. Kelly, T. Renzi; Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara: B. Mitchell, F. Adams, S. Merrett, J. Vandermeer, R. Jaensch, J. Currie.
WBFL 5.4 (34)
MSEFL 5.1 (31)
Goals – Western Border: D. Richardson 2, T. Sullivan, B. Kain, S. Willis; Mid South East: B. Foster, A. Hentschke 2, J. Kelly.
Best – Western Border: D. Bromley, T. Sullivan, J. Eldridge, D. Ayton, D. Richardson; Mid South East: J. Wehl, A. Stone, M. Smith, B. Wight, S. McManus, J. Kelly.
FINAL
WBFL 6.4 (40)
MSEFL 4.2 (26)
Goals – Western Border: T. Reid, S. Willis 2, J. Dawe, M. Telford; Mid South East: B. Foster 2, J. Kelly, A. Hentschke.
Best – Western Border: J. Schutz, J. Eldridge, T. Sullivan, D. Bromley, S. Willis, J. Grimes; Mid South East: J. Kelly, A. Stone, J. Wehl, N. Wilke, B. Foster, J. Bannister.
